Past email updates can be found HERE
Department of Public Instruction - JFC Request
Per our last e-update, we included information about the federal CARES Act providing funding for states in their response to COVID-19 and that the plans for these funds must be submitted by state agencies to the Joint Finance Committee for approval.
The federal CARES Act allocates approximately $175 million for the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for schools across the state.
My colleague in the legislature and a member of the Joint Finance Committee, Rep. Evan Goyke, recorded a brief video explaining this funding that can be viewed HERE.
As Rep. Goyke mentions, there are certain restrictions on how this money can be allocated:
- DPI must allocate about 90% of the funds (~$157 million) to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) under the existing Title 1 A federal school funding formula
- The remaining 10% (~$17.5 million) will go to DPI as they establish a “set-aside” fund to address additional challenges schools are facing
- This fund will provide a minimum level of financial support for schools that do not receive funding under the Title 1-A formula outlined above
- DPI proposes to use additional funding to build capacity & expand access to online instructional resources, providing training to educators regarding remote/online learning, & expanding/building capacity for student mental health services
Department of Natural Resources Update
Today, May 1st, 34 state parks and forests are reopening under special conditions to help limit the spread of COVID-19. The Department of Natural Resources has a new Wisconsin State Park Capacity Update webpage.
On this webpage, visitors can check the current capacity status of each property they are interested in visiting. Please note that this information changes frequently, and visitors could be denied entry to a property based on the current on-the-ground situation. The DNR encourages visitors to plan park visits accordingly.
COVID-19 CASES
Statewide
7,314 confirmed cases
1,544 hospitalizations (21% of cases)
72.566 negative test results
327 devastating deaths
14th District Counties
Milwaukee - 3,044 confirmed cases
Waukesha - 350 confirmed cases
For daily updated information on COVID-19 in Wisconsin, visit the DHS website here.
Updates on the Badger Bounce Back plan gating criteria can be found HERE.
Forward together,